Disney holds special magic for visitors with disabilities

My sister, Stefanie Koerner, laughed through her only trip to Disneyland at age 2, made possible by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Now 22, she's still a Disney fanatic.CLAUDIA KOERNER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

My dad does a mean impression of Gaston from "Beauty and the Beast," and every song from the movie is etched into my memory. We'll slip a line of dialog into conversation, then another and another.

By my estimation, we've seen it 3,000 times. That's a lowball figure too – I'm assuming four times a week for 15 years, but it could very well be more.

What kind of passionate love for Disney has overtaken us? None, actually. But my sister has Down syndrome.

Other families of people with special needs might be nodding their heads. It's tough to make generalizations, but for the most part, children and adults who are developmentally delayed seem to rely more on routines. As for their likes and dislikes, you'll get to know them pretty quickly.

For Steffi, a stroke as a toddler made her disabilities more severe. Now at age 22, she might not talk, but she'll hum along with her favorite Disney songs. She doesn't read, but she can somehow match each DVD and VHS tape to its case every time. It's hard to tell exactly what she understands sometimes, but she's clearly following her favorite movies. Even before LeFou face plants in the snow bank, she'll laugh. The Beast, for his many tribulations, earns from her a pat on the cheek and sometimes a kiss.

The movies simply resonate. The antics of Genie from "Aladdin" are funny whether you understand the jokes or know that Robin Williams is voicing the character. I don't blame Steffi for not wanting to watch Wendy's song about mothers in "Peter Pan" – it's sad stuff. No one needs to explain that Scar is the villain in "The Lion King." And always awe-inspiring is the swell of music as a puppet becomes a real boy, a mermaid finds her land legs or a fairy godmother transforms rags into a ball gown.

For many, the characters become like friends or an extension of the family.

(Click on the photo to hear from more Orange County families.)

Last summer found 6-year-old Victoria Damikolas once again unable to maintain her weight. When she needed surgery and a feeding tube, her Rapunzel doll was next to her in the hospital, a doll-sized feeding tube in place. As her health stabilized, her mother, Allyson, threw a Rapunzel-themed birthday party, complete with a visit from Rapunzel herself. The family also has season passes to Disneyland.

"We knew part of her getting better was going back to the park and enjoying it as a family," Allyson said.

The parks themselves can present some challenges. The Ford family splurged on season passes so 7-year-old Kevin and 8-year-old Kenny, both diagnosed with autism, could experience the parks at their own pace. The boys' becoming comfortable going up to characters and talking to them was a huge accomplishment, said their mother, Dawn. By the end of the year, the boys had gotten autographs and photos with 57 characters.

"Disneyland has helped our boys so much with social skills, crowds, patience and just communicating, which is hard for some kids with autism," she said.

Gladys and Tony Sasaki knew their 9-year-old son Kyle would love Disneyland. Walking through the gates at the park entrance, though, was another story. Since their single-day tickets were good for a year, they tried again. And again. Finally, after watching YouTube videos of the rides inside the park, Kyle was willing to give the gates a shot.

He walked through, covering his ears, peeking only from the corners of his eyes, overwhelmed but doing it. Later that day, he managed the gates at California Adventure as well. Now, Kyle is an avid roller-coaster fan, and the family has purchased annual passes.

"For us, it's just awesome when we see Kyle accomplish something new," his mother said.

Priscilla Schroth, 8, is all smiles from the moment her wheelchair is on the tram to the parks. The Matterhorn, Big Thunder Mountain and Star Tours are her favorite rides for their speed and the wind on her face. Priscilla doesn't talk, but her mother, Audrey, said her happiness at the park is infectious.

"She is truly a joy to go with because she has such a great time," she said. "No matter how many times she's been on a ride, she squeals like it's her first."

My family, which lives in Oregon now, has taken only one trip to the park together. In 1992, when Steffi was fighting leukemia, the Make-A-Wish Foundation sent us all to Disneyland. I look back at the photos and I see myself, a shy 5-year-old with a faint smile and wide eyes, as I take it all in. Steffi, 2, on the other hand, is in her element. A smile has taken over her baby face; I can almost hear the laughter.

As young as I was, I have only a few memories from the trip. What's more significant is what I don't remember – the stress and fear my parents undoubtedly felt as, for the umpteenth time in only two years, Steffi's life hung in the balance.

At Disneyland, we were just happy. And so I'm happy every time I hear the opening bars of Belle's song about a little town and provincial life. Steffi can't say the words, but she's singing along.

My sister, Stefanie Koerner, laughed through her only trip to Disneyland at age 2, made possible by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Now 22, she's still a Disney fanatic. CLAUDIA KOERNER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Victoria Damikolas smiles with her Rapunzel doll during a hospital stay last year. The 6-year-old still has problems with nutrition and retaining weight, but her health is now stable enough that her family can enjoy trips to Disneyland. TEXT BY CLAUDIA KOERNER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER;, PHOTO COURTESY ALLYSON DAMIKOLAS
Alex Perez, a 19-year-old who has Down syndrome, hugs her little sister, Gabbi, while posing with her boyfriend, Kevin VanMatre. Perez, who has long loved Disney movies and characters, was able to act as a Disneyland tour guide for her sister's first visit. "Our trips to Disneyland are always full of fun, magic and excitement," mother Kellie Perez said. TEXT BY CLAUDIA KOERNER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER;, PHOTO COURTESY KELLIE PEREZ
Declan Byrne was shy when he first met Belle from his favorite Disney movie, "Beauty and the Beast." The 6-year-old, who has autism, is semi-verbal so his parents were thrilled to hear his attempts to say Disneyland. On the same trip, he got to participate in storytime with Belle. "He carried that trip with him for a long time, and to this day, if we talk about it he gets so excited and says, 'I want to go,' " mother Nancy Byrne said. TEXT BY CLAUDIA KOERNER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER;, PHOTO COURTESY NANCY BYRNE
At age 4, Becca Mattson was delighted by the princesses at Disneyland. "It was all of her favorite movies brought to life," her mother, Janette, said. Now, the 9-year-old who has Down syndrome prefers the Matterhorn and the California Screamin' roller coaster. "I guess they all have to grow up," her mother said. TEXT BY CLAUDIA KOERNER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER;, PHOTO COURTESY JANETTE MATTSON
At first, Kevin and Kenny Ford wouldn't go up to or touch the characters at Disneyland. The boys have both been diagnosed with autism. Over the course of a year, they became comfortable enough to meet more than 50, collecting photos and autographs along the way. "Disneyland is a great friendly and fun environment to practice these everyday lessons in life," their mother, Dawn, said. TEXT BY CLAUDIA KOERNER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER;, PHOTO COURTESY DAWN FORD
Adin Winnik, 4, is crazy for Buzz Lightyear. He and his sister have been diagnosed with high-functioning autism, and Disneyland is a safe and happy place for the family, said their mother, Caroline. TEXT BY CLAUDIA KOERNER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER;, PHOTO COURTESY CAROLINE WINNIK
Eight-year-old Alexandra Winnik, Adin's sister, was born with a liver tumor, which means bloodwork every three months and an ultrasound every six months. "The one constant love in her life has been Disneyland and the princesses," mother Caroline Winnik said. "She could always escape with her imagination and be a princess." TEXT BY CLAUDIA KOERNER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER;, PHOTO COURTESY CAROLINE WINNIK
Jacob Cerda, the self-proclaimed "Disney King," hopes to become an Imagineer. The 17-year-old has an undiagnosed mitochondrial disorder and is quadriplegic. "There are some rides I cannot go on, but just a few," he wrote. "My all-time favorites include Sleeping Beauty's castle at nighttime. When it is all lit up, it is breathtaking, especially when used as the backdrop for the firework display. 'World of Color' and 'Fantasmic' are also unbelievable." TEXT BY CLAUDIA KOERNER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER;, PHOTO COURTESY KERRY PRINS
Kyle Sasaki marches into Disneyland like a pro with his father, Tony. At one time, the thought of going through the front gates would overwhelm the 9-year-old, who has autism. "I am proud to say that this year, we purchased annual passes, and he is loving Disneyland and California Adventure," said Kyle's mother, Gladys. TEXT BY CLAUDIA KOERNER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER;, PHOTO COURTESY GLADYS SASAKI
Adam Ortega, an 11-year-old who has cerebal palsy, autism and other health issues, loves all things Disney. "Adam knows every lyric and step to the parades, shows and rides, and yet always finds something new to be entertained by," said his mother, Amber. TEXT BY CLAUDIA KOERNER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER;, PHOTO COURTESY AMBER ORTEGA
Rutvij Patel, 11, and his mother, Parul, spent a year exploring the parks with his father, Jayesh, after the three bought annual passes. Parul wasn't sure her son, who has ADHD, could handle the California Screamin' roller coaster. By the end of the summer, though, each family member was a fan. TEXT BY CLAUDIA KOERNER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER;, PHOTO COURTESY PARUL PATEL
Priscilla Schroth, 8, loves feeling the wind on her face and being whipped around by rides like the Matterhorn, Big Thunder Mountain and Star Tours. "Our girl doesn't talk, but she can be heard all throughout the rides laughing and squealing," said her mother, Audrey. TEXT BY CLAUDIA KOERNER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER;, PHOTO COURTESY AUDREY SCHROTH
Allie Morros, 7 at the time of this photo, dreams of being a princess and loves Jessie from "Toy Story." Allie has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus and has developmental delays. During a favorite trip to the park, Jessie grabbed Allie's hand and the pair walked along nonchalantly. "Allie was in heaven," said her mother, Cari Cohn-Morros. TEXT BY CLAUDIA KOERNER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER;, PHOTO COURTESY CARI COHN-MORROS
During my family's 1992 trip to Disneyland, Stefanie was fighting leukemia. Today, she is healthy and frequently watches her favorite Disney movies. CLAUDIA KOERNER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
As long as we can remember, Steffi has loved Disney characters. Her favorite movie is "Beauty and the Beast." CLAUDIA KOERNER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
When you have a sibling with special needs, you've got little choice when it comes to being a Disney fan. Here I am at age 5 during my family's only trip to Disneyland together. CLAUDIA KOERNER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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